University options for medicine

• Year 13 Entry

• Graduate Entry

• Preliminary Year/Widening Participation Entry

• Retaking ALevels

List of options:

Aberdeen: This university values a high UCAT Score (which you have). Aberdeen does not rank the SJT Band score for UCAT so a great one to consider if you are Band 3 or 4 - they will only use this if determining between two similar candidates after an interview. However, there are far more places available for Scottish students compared to the rest of the UK so please take this into account if considering applying. This is an integrated medical course.

Anglia Ruskin: When applying here there, initially, will be an academic screen. If students meet the academic cut-off score they will be ranked based on UCAT score. If you live in the East of England or Essex you will be allocated greater points for your application. This is a CBL course.

Aston: This university highly values UCAT points and A Levels which have already been completed. You are ranked based on a complicated scoring system (check out the website to calculate your exact score). The SJT is not considered in the ranking. The MMI (Interview) totals around 25% of your total score. This is an integrated course.

Birmingham: You can view the complex score calculator on the Birmingham website. The SJT will contribute to your interview score and the uni puts a large focus on GCSEs. If you have a strong UCAT score and GCSEs this is a good university to consider applying to. This is an integrated course.

Brighton: This is a BMAT Uni. The BMAT will be changing this academic year and the quiz will be updated to reflect that once these changes come into effect. This is an integrated course.

Bristol: If your UCAT score is great and your ALevels and GCSEs meet the cut-off then you should apply here. 100% of the weighting is given to UCAT score to enable you to get an interview. This is a CBL course.

Brunel: This is a relatively new medical course which opened in 2021. It is largely ranked based on UCAT score once the academic minimum is reached. GCSEs are not used in the ranking preference so this is a good place to apply if your GCSEs are not your strongest area. This is a CBL course.

Buckingham: The A-Level entry requirements are slightly lower for this university so this is a great uni to apply to if you have been predicted an A and two B's. This is a private university and therefore you should only apply if you are willing and able to pay the entrance fees. No UCAT or BMAT is required for this university and it is easier for international students to attend as there are no caps on the number of international places. It is a CBL course although describes itself as having a more unique approach to teaching medicine. If you are strong academically and with your UCAT you should consider applying elsewhere.

Cambridge: This is a highly competitive university with a rigorous application process and interview. It is good for students who wish to study the traditional course and are interested in background science. You will need to have three science or maths ALevels. As clinical exposure starts very late, this course may not be suited for all learners. This has previously been a BMAT university which is now UCAT for the 2024-25 application process. Although we cannot be certain of cut-offs we would only recommend applying with a very high UCAT. You should look at the specific entry requirements for each college if you are interested in applying here.

Cardiff: This is a great university if you have a low UCAT score. There is no cut-off for the UCAT and it is only used if a lot of highly scoring academic candidates apply in a particular year. If you have a lot of 8 or 9's at GCSE then this is a good course to consider. It is a CBL course. Welsh students are also given some preference in applications.

Dundee: Dundee uses both UCAT and academics to rank applicants. UCAT SJT ranges are not considered in the initial ranking of applicants but are used later in determining offers. This is an Integrated course. Both GCSEs and ALevel predicted grades are used. This is a good university to apply to if you are strong across the board but don't have a top UCAT score or GCSE.

Edge Hill: Students are ranked based on their UCAT Score and then a cut-off is applied. Any SJT Band 4 students are rejected automatically. If you meet the academic minimum (AAA or A*AB if the A* is Bio or Chem) then this is a good place to apply with a strong UCAT Score. If you are a Grad this is a good place to apply if you have studied Psychology as many universities will not accept this course. This is a CBL course.

East Anglia/Norwich: This university uses UCAT scores and GCSEs to rank students. You require 6 GCSEs at a grade 7 or above. The SJT score is used after the application process to rank students. There is no official UCAT threshold score. This is an Integrated course.

Edinburgh: The UCAT (including SJT) and predicted grades are used to rank students. Any student with an SJT score of 4 is immediately rejected. This is a good university to apply to if you have a strong UCAT and a strong SJT band. This is a Traditional course style.

Exeter: Exeter places a very strong focus on academics and therefore you will need 3 A* predictions to apply here. This is a good place to apply if you have a strong academic history and a decent UCAT. Graduate students or students who have sat their A-levels more than 2 years ago must sit the GAMSAT. This is a good university to apply with a strong GAMSAT score of 65+. This is an Integrated course.

Glasgow: Students are ranked based on UCAT and academic scores. The UCAT cut-off is normally around 2850 for UK students although this is normally lower for Scottish students. If you have a strong UCAT score but a Band 3 or 4 you should definitely consider applying here. This is a PBL course.

Hull York: For Hull GCSE, UCAT and SJT Band are all taken into account in equal measure. There are also some contextual points taken into consideration such as having parents not in higher education, receiving the UCAT bursary and the student's postcode. Students with a Band 4 SJT should not apply here. This is a PBL course.

Imperial College London: Students are normally ranked based on BMAT score. Normally students have had to achieve 13.0 total minimum score. The BMAT will be changing in 2024 and therefore it is hard to determine how the application scoring will change going forward. This is an Integrated course.

Keele: The bottom two UCAT deciles are cut off for this university. The personal statement and UCAT are used in decision-making (unusual for medicine) (New for 2024 entry). Students with an SJT 4 will be rejected. For this university international students sit the UCAT (was previously the BMAT). Graduate students who do not meet the GCSE or ALevel requirements for grades or subjects will need to sit the GAMSAT (minimum score 55-58) as well as the UCAT. This is a good place to apply with a strong UCAT (top 20%) and a strong personal statement but without straight A*s. This is an Integrated course.

Kent and Medway: Academics are not used in the application process to Kent if you meet the base requirements of AAB. This is a good place to apply if you have been predicted a B and you hit the UCAT cut-off (around 40th centile and Band 3+). This is an Integrated course.

King's College London: This course focuses heavily on UCAT scores although also considers GCSEs. It is not worth applying if you have an SJT Band of 3 or 4. If you have a strong UCAT this should be a key university to consider applying to. This is an Integrated course.

Lancaster: In this course, students have previously been ranked by BMAT. As BMAT is gone for 2025 entry, we image applicants will be ranked by UCAT and so should apply with a strong UCAT but it is hard to know how this will change going forward. This is a PBL course.

Leeds: This course is switching from BMAT to UCAT this year. It is not yet known what the UCAT cut-off will be. This is an Integrated course.

Leicester: The bottom two deciles of UCAT and Band 4 students will be automatically be rejected. This is a good university to apply for if you have a large number of 8s and 9s at GCSE. It is also very good to consider applying here if you are taking a gap year and have already sat your A Levels and have a UCAT score in the top 20% of the year. If you fulfil those requirements you are automatically invited to interview. This is an Integrated course.

Lincoln: This university focuses on the UCAT score with a particular focus put onto the VR score (so if this is high then consider applying here). SJT Band 4 is an automatic rejection. They do not require ALevel predicted grades as a part of the selection process although you will need to achieve AAA. This is an Integrated course.

Liverpool: The application is largely based on UCAT score as long as the academic minimum is met. The normal UCAT Cut off is around 2660 although this is risen every year. Graduate applicants will need to sit the GAMSAT with a score of around 55 normally being invited to interview. This is an Integrated course.

Manchester: UCAT is the largest determiner in this application process, with only the top third being accepted. Do not apply here is a SJT Band of 3 or 4. But if you have a strong UCAT score then this is a good university to consider applying to. This is a PBL/CBL course.

Newcastle: This university solely ranks students based on UCAT so again this is a good university to apply to if you have a good UCAT (think top 10%), and lower GCSE grades as you are almost guaranteed an interview. Do not apply here with a Band 4 SJT. This is an Integrated course.

Nottingham: This university focuses on the UCAT score with a particular focus put onto the VR score (so if this is high then consider applying here). SJT Band 4 is an automatic rejection. They also require 6 GCSEs above a level 7 (A). This is a CBL course.

Oxford: This is a highly competitive university with a rigorous application process and interview. It is good for students who wish to study the traditional course and are interested in background science. You will need to have three science or maths A Levels. As clinical exposure starts very late, this course may not be suited for all learners. This has previously been a BMAT university which is now UCAT for the 2024-25 application process. Although we cannot be certain of cut-offs we would only recommend applying with a very high UCAT. You should look at the specific entry requirements for each college if you are interested in applying here. This is a traditional course.

Plymouth: Students applying to Plymouth are ranked based on UCAT and predicted ALevel grades. This university is great to apply to if you have a Band 3 or Band 4 SJT as they do not currently use the Band SJT in the application. For graduate applications to the full 5 year course they require a GAMSAT score. A high cut-off grade of 65+ is needed. This is a PBL course.

Queen Mary and Bart's: You should apply here if you have a slightly above average UCAT (think top 40%). If you have a lower UCAT score or Band 3 or 4 SJT you will be automatically rejected. This is a PBL course.

Queen's Belfast: Students are largely ranked based on GCSE scores (UCAT is looked at but only around 12.5% of the ranking). For example in 2023 if you have 9 A*s at GCSE you would only need a UCAT score of 2100 to be invited to interview. SJT is also not used in cases of borderline students. So apply here if you have very strong GCSEs and a lower UCAT score. This is an Integrated course.

Sheffield: UCAT score is used to invite students to interview. Once at the interview, SJT scores are used. This is a place to consider applying if you interview well and have a poor SJT rank but a strong UCAT score. This is an Integrated course.

Southampton: Students are ranked based on their UCAT with a cut-off normally of around 2800. SJT has not historically been used here and therefore consider applying if you have a Band 3 or 4. This is an Integrated course.

St Andrews: For this university the top 500 students, based on their UCAT, are invited to interview. UCAT can then be used to differentiate students if their interview scores are the same. They will also review your reference and personal statement. This is an Integrated course.

St George's: This university ranks students based on UCAT although has a lower cut-off than many other universities. There is a minimum score of 500 for each section of UCAT. This university has gone through clearing in 2023 so it is worth considering this if the UCAS deadline has passed. This is an Integrated course.

Sunderland: This university has a low UCAT cut-off (top 80%). SJT 4 does have an automatic cut-off. This university highly values work experience and you will have to fill in an extra form about all your volunteering and work experience. This is a good place to apply if you have a low-average UCAT score and a lot of work experience. This is an Integrated course.

UCL: This university uses the BMAT and is highly competitive. Although the BMAT will be changing in 2024 it is hard to know how the university will be using this score going forward. It is sensible to assume you should only apply with a strong BMAT (or BMAT alternative) score. This is an Integrated course.

UCLAN: This course favours students from the North East of the UK and international students. There is no need to sit the UCAT or BMAT for this university however it is worth noting that this is a private university and therefore UK students will have to pay the full course fees. This is an Integrated course.

Year 13 Entry

Cardiff: Students must have completed one of four specific feeder degree courses to apply to this course (Medical Pharmacology or Biomedical Sciences - Cardiff University, Medical Sciences - Bangor University or University of South Wales) and applicants must achieve at minimum a 2.1. Students are required to have sat the UCAT although no minimum cut-off is used. This is a CBL course.

Cardiff: Students must have completed one of four specific feeder degree courses to apply to this course (Medical Pharmacology or Biomedical Sciences - Cardiff University, Medical Sciences - Bangor University or University of South Wales) and applicants must achieve at minimum a 2.1. Students are required to have sat the UCAT although no minimum cut-off is used. This is a CBL course.

Chester: Students are required to have a 2.1 undergrad or a 2.2 Masters or Doctorate, so this is a good university to consider applying to with a 2.2. This course requires UCAT. This is a CBL course.

Imperial College London: Applicants must have a 2.1 degree at undergrad level or a 2.2. or above at masters or doctuate level when applying. This is a BMAT university and the BMAT test will be changing for 2024 entry.. This is an Integrated course.

King's College London: Applicants may apply with any degree and the entry requirements are a 2.1 minimum. There are no ALevel requirements (aside from following Nursing degrees). This course requires the UCAT. As with undergraduate entry, the UCAT requirements are very high so you should consider applying with top UCAT grades. This is an Integrated course.

Liverpool: This course requires the GAMSAT. Students will be ranked based on GAMSAT score once they have reached the cut-off score of 50. A 2.1 or above must be achieved within the current degree and students must have completed the degree within the previous 5 years. This is an Integrated course.

Newcastle: Applicants must have at least a 2.1 at university from any discipline. This course requires the UCAT. This is an Integrated course.

Nottingham: This course requires the GAMSAT. Students should consider applying here with a good GAMSAT score of 61+. It is worth noting that Section 3 is weighted the same as Sections 1 and 2 for this university so consider your individual scores for each section before applying. Students can apply here with a 2.2. in a degree from any subject so is important to consider applying for if you have a 2.2 or are on track for one. This is a CBL course.

Oxford: Students must have studied a science degree and obtained a 2.1 (although a 1st is recommended for applications). Students must have achieved AAB at ALevel with an A or A* in Chemistry (this does not apply if you sat your ALevles more than 5 years prior). This is a highly competitive course and applicants should only apply here with top BMAT, degree and ALevel grades. This course requires the BMAT. This is a Traditional course.

Queen Mary's and Bart's: Students may have studied any degree and achieved/achieving a 2.1. If the degreee is not science-based or does not contain Biology/Chemistry then students will be expected to achieve these up to.a grade B or C at ALevel. Please see the specific entry criteria on their website. This course requires UCAT for graduate entry. This is a PBL course.

Sheffield: Students must have sat a life science degree and obtained a 2.1 Students must also have taken Chemistry or Biology and achieved BBB grades at ALevel. This course requires the UCAT. This is an Integrated course.

Southampton: Students must have achieved a 2.1 at degree level in any discipline. Applicants must also have grade C (4) in GCSE in Maths, English Language, Chemistry and Biology. This course requires the UCAT. This is an Integrated course.

St Andrews/Dundee (ScotGEM): This course requires the GAMSAT. An average GAMSAT score of 57 is normally required for entry and students must reach a minimum of 50 in each category. Students must achieve a 2.1 or above as well as a B in chemistry A Level and GCSE maths at a grade B. For Scottish students, this course offers free tuition so can be a popular option although it is worth noting that your second two years of training will take place more remotely in the highlands. This is an Integrated course.

St George's: This course requires the GAMSAT. The cut off for GAMSAT is normally around 60-61. You can have a degree from any background at a minimum of a 2.1 to apply here. There are no A-Level or GCSE minimums for application. This is an Integrated course.

Swansea: This course requires the GAMSAT. In previous years the cut-off score has been high at around 61. Students require a 2.1 at degree level and a GCSE C in English and Maths. This is an Integrated course.

Ulster: This degree requires the GAMSAT. Normally an average score of around 55 is required to apply here although this is a relatively new medical school and therefore this entry requirement may change over time. Applicants must have a 2.1 or above and a C in Maths and English Language at GCSE.

Warwick: This is a graduate entry-only medical degree and there are no undergraduates who study medicine at this university. You will need to have two weeks of full-time work experience (70 hours) over the last 2 years, at two separate placements to apply. This university requires the UCAT and uses the VR score rather than the whole UCAT score so consider applying here if you have a VR score higher than average. This is a CBL course.

Worcester: This degree is open to applicants from any previous degree and is a graduate-only medical programme. This course is due to open in 2024. This course accepts both UCAT and GAMSAT currently and therefore it is worth sitting both and seeing which places you in a higher percentile. It is worth applying with GAMSAT if your score is over 50. This is a PBL course.

Graduate Entry